FC Dallas 2018 Season Grades

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FC Dallas midfielder Roland Lamah (20), center, sports a Texas-sized smile as he celebrates with teammates Jacon Hayes (15) and Michael Barrios (21) after scoring to break a scoreless tie during first half action against Seattle Sounders. The two teams played their Major League Soccer game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on March 18, 2018. (Steve Hamm/Special Contributor) to The Dallas Morning News

It's the end of the season so it's time to review the squad and give out some grades.

One important note: I grade on a curve, by which I mean the expectations for the player matters. Some 16-year-old kid who signed 5 weeks ago isn't getting an F because he didn't play.

FC Dallas Season Grades - Alphabetical Order

Player

Grade

Comment

Abel Aguilar

B-

Came in late season, played some games, filled some holes in midfield, was adequate if not great prior to being injured.

Tesho Akindele

C

Played in about 10 fewer games than previous seasons. Didn't really progress as a player.

Pablo Aránguiz

B

Many fans expected a savior, I expected a small contribution and potential greatness down the line.

Francis Atuahene

D

FCD's #1 pick and Generation adidas player who didn't play an MLS game. Yes, international roster slots were a factor. Went on loan to OKC Energy which didn't pan out. Frequently injured.

Dominique Badji

C

Not terrible, but this is not the #9 FCD was looking for. Still trying to find his way in the team.

Michael Barrios

B+

Started slowly but might be FCD's best player in the second half of season. Reliably available, his active games streak continues.

Reggie Cannon

A++

A hell of a sophomore season by the Homegrown. From 1 minute played to 2nd most minutes on the team.

Jordan Cano

C-

College senior Homegrown signing. Didn't see the field in any MLS games and rarely made the 18. Loan to OKC didn't really work out either. No progression in his game in training.

Cristian Colmán

D-

A DP player who saw action in 15 games but only scored twice. Just not enough here to justify the cost. Missed the end of the season with a long-term injury.

Jesus Ferreira

A

The 17-year-old Homegrown only played in 1 MLS game, but his loan to Tulsa Roughnecks was a roaring success earning him the #13 spot on the USL 20 Under 20 list.

Maynor Figueroa

B

Exactly what we expected from the 35-year-old backup. Played 16 games, filled in well enough. Was healthy and available when needed. A great leader by example with this fitness.

Jesse Gonzalez

C

Not quite the season he hoped for. Lost his job early to Jimmy Maurer but did get it back. He's still a wonderful shot stopper but the decision making and communication remain poor. Plus he now has a rep for time wasting.

Carlos Gruezo

A-

Solid first half of the year and arguably the team's MVP the 2nd half. Finished the season playing in his best form since coming to Dallas.

Jacori Hayes

B-

Not a lot of expectation to start the year, although I did expect a breakout season for him. Hayes delivered and was arguably the team's MVP through the first 7 MLS games of the season (and various Cups). Loss of PT in the 2nd half hurts but still a step forward this season.

Matt Hedges

A

FCD's captain and best defender delivered another top notch season. Maybe it's not an MLS award type season but it's for sure a rebound from last season.

Moises Hernandez

B

Signed to provide MLS veteran CB depth, somewhat of an insurance policy in many ways. Late season loan to San Antonio FC seemed a success apart from the red card.

FCD's leading goal scorer as a midfielder. Can be somewhat of a disruptive force to his own team's tactics with poor runs but continues to produce at 30. Late season injury hurt him a bit.

Jimmy Maurer

B+

Signed primarily to push Jesse Gonzalez, Maurer did just that winning the job outright early in the year. Reminded a positive influence and was game ready week to week despite not getting much PT.

Santiago Mosquera

B

A young DP with soccer gifts, Mosquera is one of the most dangerous attackers on the team. Held back some by injury. Remains too inconsistent to earn top marks.

Marquinhos Pedroso

A

Fantastic job replacing the want-away Anton Nedyalkov. Good defender with great range, even better attacker getting forward on the wing. Relentless work rate and engine. Overall a very positive midseason signing.

Paxton Pomykal

D

A Homegrown player of such promise, the next step in progression didn't happen. Frequently in the 18 man roster but rarely seeing the field. Remains too inconsistent in training. Named to the US U20s.

Kris Reaves

B

If not for being so injury prone, this would have been an A. Came into the season as a very raw senior college homegrown. Prior to his injuries made massive strides in training to become a real option at CB, perhaps even ahead of Figueroa

Adonijah Reid

A

Successful season-long loan to Ottawa Fury, playing 28 games and 1,765 minutes. Named to the USL 20 Under 20 list at #8.

Bryan Reynolds

B+

Still only 17 and started the year way down the pecking order at wing. Converted to right back midway through the season and made great progress. Should enter next season competing for playing time.

Chris Richards

A+

DA Central Conference Player of the Year as a center back. Signed as a Homegrown with FCD. Went to Bayern Munich on loan and they like him so much they may keep him.

Thomas Roberts

A

After dominating the FCD U19s as a 16-year-old signed a Homegrown contract in July. That's exactly what you want him to do. So well done. Did two training stints at Bayern Munich.

Brandon Servania

A+

Signed this year as a Homegrown after one season at Wake Forest. Showed lots of promise in training and made a few game day 18s. Took full advantage of a loan to Tulsa Roughnecks where he dominated the midfield. Named to the USL 20 under 20 at #14. Named to the US U20s. Did a training stint at Bayern Munich.

Ema Twumasi

C

FCD's other first-round pick and Generation adidas player. Also blocked by the international slots problem but stayed healthy and progressed enough to make some 18 man squads and get into 1 MLS game. Loan to OKC Energy didn't work out.

Victor Ulloa

A

One of FCD's best stories, Ulloa revitalized his career. From a player that in the preseason was dropping down the roster and might have been in danger of dropping off it to one of FCD's most valuable players over the latter 2/3s of the season.

Maxi Urruti

B-

Arguably FCD's best and most exciting attacking player, probably the team MVP... but that's what he's supposed to be. FCD feeds off his energy and work rate, but he hasn't become the special game-changing player FCD needs to challenge for a Cup. There is a lot of weight on his shoulders.

Reto Ziegler

A-

A fantastic preseason signing. Became a team leader and holds command in training. Leads by example and is a great communicator. Any concerns about covering big, athletic strikers wasn't a problem. Only 3 red cards hold back his grade.

Kyle Zobeck

B

Did what a 3rd keeper does. He works hard, shows up, and doesn't complain.